Chaba Kaew out to settle old score with regional rivals Vietnam in Indonesia today
>> The Thai women’s football team will have revenge on their minds today when they face Southeast Asian foes Vietnam, a side that denied them the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games gold medal.
The 2018 Asian Games Group C battle between the two Asean teams at Bumi Sriwijaya Stadium is a perfect stage for the Chaba Kaew to settle an old score with Vietnam.
Both Thailand and Vietnam will enter the match fully aware that the clash will be a sort of winners-takeit-all affair.
The Chaba Kaew were beaten 2-0 by 2011 world champions Japan on Thursday, while Vietnam will be the heavy underdogs when they take on the Nadeshiko in the last Group C battle on Tuesday.
The top two sides of Group C will qualify for the knockout phase, with the top three teams each from Groups A and B completing the quarter-final line-up.
The loss to Japan allowed Thailand coach Nuengrutai Srathongivan to spot a few weak points in the squad.
“We made some mistakes in the match with Japan,” said Nuengrutai. “Japan were strong and we lost to a better team. They are far more experienced and their superiority showed in the game.
“Our defence clearly struggled when they attacked and we also had problems in handling the long air balls.
Nuengrutai is expecting a better performance from the Chaba Kaew in today’s game.
“We have a good team and the girls have improved with every game,” she said.
“We have pointed out the mistakes they committed against Japan and have advised the players to avoid them in the coming match.
“They know we need a result against Vietnam and they will put in their best effort.”
Thailand’s US-based f orward Suchawadee Nildhamrong or Miranda Nild mainly practised scoring goals in yesterday’s training session.
“The Japanese played at a very fast pace but we wasted some good scoring opportunities as well yesterday [Saturday],” said Suchawadee.
“I have never played against Vietnam so I am not sure what to expect from the game against them.
“In any case, it has always been our target to beat them here in the Asian Games, so we are going to make an utmost effort to achieve our goal. I am hoping that we will qualify for the quarter-finals.”